The 33rd meeting of project team 44 (PT44) on satellite communications of the working group on Frequency Management (WG FM) was held last 7-9 January in the Hague, Netherlands, chaired by France. A total of 21 participants from 11 administrations attended, along with representatives from industry, namely Eutelsat, Inmarsat, O3b Networks, Thales Alenia Space and ViaSat, and from radio-astronomy and the European Communications Office (ECO).
Various issues were considered at this meeting, of which the following stand out:
- analysis of use of the 17.7-19.7 GHz frequency band;
- earth stations operating on mobile platforms communicating with non-geostationary satellite networks (NGSO ESOMP);
- analysis of use of the carried identification (CID) technique;
- questionnaire on authorisations granted to Iridium in Europe.
In that context, PT44 examined and discussed contributions received in the scope of those matters. Several documents were then updated based on results of the discussions.
Also debated were two documents from public consultations, specifically the ones concerning the revision of Decision ECC/DEC/(05)11 and ECC Report 217 on NGSO ESOMP. Both documents were analysed and modified to respond to comments received during the respective consultations.
Lastly, it is important to stress that the draft ECC decision on NGSO ESOMP was completed and will be submitted to WG FM for public consultation.
The next (34th) meeting of WG FM PT44 will be held in Zagreb this coming 28-30 April.
